Lamb Shirley

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY224615 Inspection date 02/04/2009 Inspector Susan Mann

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and three children of school age in a house in Bishopdown, Salisbury. The whole of house is registered for childminding. Most of the childminding takes place on the ground floor area of the property and toileting facilities are upstairs. There is a paved area available for outdoor play. Nearby, there are local shops and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years, including three in the early years age range. Currently she is caring for four children in the early years age range, some of whom attend part-time. The childminder also provides after school care for children who are older than eight years. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register, and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the provision is good. Children are enthusiastic and motivated to learn in the care of the childminder. The childminder knows the individual needs of each child and she fully respects these, promoting the uniqueness of each child. The childminder works closely with parents and has started to work collaboratively with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children benefit from a consistent approach to their learning and development. Children's health and safety are promoted exceptionally well so that children thrive in her care. The childminder evaluates her practice effectively in order to plan and implement changes and improvements.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop existing systems of observation and assessment to monitor children's progress and effectively plan their next steps of learning  continue to establish a partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that children benefit from a collaborative approach to their learning and development.

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provision

Children are well cared for by the childminder. She has devised a number of concisely written policies and procedures which ensure all children are treated with respect and are safe. These are reflected in her practice. Policies are shared with all parents so they are fully aware of the principles and requirements that underpin This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the day-to-day running of the setting. The childminder has current knowledge of how to safeguard children's welfare effectively.

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provision

The childminder has organised her home to provide a spacious and enabling environment for children to spend time. She is welcoming and cheerful and provides a relaxed atmosphere where children can feel at home. Children enjoy choosing toys from a large selection. The resources are displayed at child height so they can make their own decisions and assert their own preferences and this helps them become more self-assured.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to improvement of her provision through ongoing evaluation. All issues identified as recommendations to improve practice at the previous inspection have been fully addressed. The childminder makes clear assessments of areas for development in her provision and implements these changes to provide enhanced experiences for children. For example, she is currently introducing more natural materials as resources to provide children with the opportunity to explore different textures and colours. Furthermore, she is reorganising her outdoor area to enable children to safely free flow between the indoor and outdoor areas to promote their good health and ability to make choices.

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provision

The childminder fosters strong links with parents and carers. She regularly shares information with them about children's learning and development and encourages parents to contribute to their child's learning records. The childminder has started to develop effective partnership with other providers of the EYFS and has plans to expand on this in the near future.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has recently developed an effective system of observation and assessment. She makes frequent observations of children's spontaneous play to assess their stage and to plan their next steps of learning. This information is clearly summarised in learning journey sheets which provide a good overview of children's achievements and future targets. The childminder then plans and provides activities and opportunities which support children's interests and extend their learning. She supports children very well as they play and gives each child a great deal of attention. She always works at their physical level and uses lots of clear language to assist them with their speech.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are full of enthusiasm and are developing good attitudes towards learning. The childminder provides a successful blend of child-initiated and adult- led play to deliver a curriculum that suits each child. For example, children are engrossed in planting bulbs in a garden pot. They smell the compost and explore the texture as they fill the planter and push the bulbs in, chatting about the flowers that will grow. Once this has finished, a child becomes interested in the compost that has spilled on the paving stones and starts to ride a bike through it, making a mark. The childminder follows their interest and encourages the children to draw shapes in the compost using their fingers. Children are absorbed in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 drawing circles and talk about the shape and size of them with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and safety are promoted exceptionally well. The home is safe and risks have been identified and dealt with. The childminder fosters children's understanding of how to manage their own safety and physical well-being though frequent explanations which are wholly appropriate to the stage of children's understanding. She reminds a child who has recently progressed from using a booster seat to sit on the chair securely whilst eating, and invents a rhyme for children to sing when practising the fire evacuation procedure to reiterate the safety message. Children demonstrate excellent awareness of how to stay safe outside the home. They know to hold hands and to stay away from the road edge when walking to the park. Children flourish because the childminder provides exemplary support to their physical well-being. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise each day through walks and outdoor play. They especially enjoy a choice

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of nutritious snacks such as fruit and wraps.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to consider the needs of others and to express their own requirements. They learn about their local community through visiting the town and the local market place. The childminder puts great emphasis on children understanding the need to share resources fairly and to show one another respect. She demonstrates a very good understanding of child development and age appropriate behaviours and frustrations which might arise for some children. She skilfully distracts young children if they are becoming restless so that they may regain their interest and focus in another activity. Children are given a great deal of praise and encouragement by the childminder which boosts their self-esteem and confidence. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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